gonedawning

Does anyone know if there is a Diagnostic Test that can be performed at home? Tired of paying $250 a pop for a verbal explanation of the problems and no information in writing. Any thoughts?

Thanks SnowStorm!!! All things are pointing to the battery. Loved the link! (Although broken) Found so much more information.

NoGooDbUM - thanks so much for your feedback!!! The first and original dealership refused service when I returned with the same problem presented a year ago (1st: 3/24/2021 - 88775 miles and 2nd: 9/15/2022 - 95532 miles). So, my car is currently at second ford dealership. And they are not keen on returning my car. I brought the car in a week ago and they ran the diagnostic and provided a quote for the Power Steering Module and the TCU replacement. I'm in a stalemate since they can't find a TCU module replacement and have yet to revise my quote for the power steering. I think ford is really struggling. (ford motor company customer service is quite rude and putoffish - so sad really) All I can do is ask the dealer to check the battery manu. date. Load test can be done by AAA. Incidentally, when I bought the car in 2013, the 12v battery died within 12 months, probably for the reasons you've describe. Not sure why Ford can't find a replacement TCU module - seems odd....

On another note - there are no noises, leaks or tactile feedback from the steering - smooth as silk. CR08 - you are a gem!!! Don't need the TCU module - but now I am suspicious that this may not be the underlying problem. The dealership has told me they "cannot find" a replacement part so can't repair. Having them remove and reserve and may replace later. I do work from home and during COVID put few miles on the car (2020 - 2021). The fact that the car drains so quickly does support your ACM theory. Once jumped and driving the battery gage and functionality of the car appears to be quickly restored - it's after I turn off the car that strange things happen overnight (haunted car!). Typically, I never get any error messages or warning lights - even the sluggish power steering is not warned. Only two warnings have lit in the nine years of ownership 1) the power steering warning - but only when the steering is FULLY manual - it does NOT come on during the times that the power steering assist is sluggish and then kicks in after 30 secs. 2) and one time I tried to start the car and every single light, warning, message, horn ...flashed before me - I was terrified! and then - dead car, like a last gasp of life before death! (I actually have a picture of the flashing dashboard I can post.) This was the morning after the installation of the brand new battery by the original dealer! The dealer returned the car after new battery install, I drove the car home with no problems, parked the car in the garage - then the next morning - BOOM dead car! The touch screen did have an error messages once - when time the radio would not turn off - the touch screen did not work/respond. This SYNC issue was related to the latest power management and power steering loss too. Don't have options to test the power system myself - you would have to walk me through.... sorry.... Specifics on the delay to power steering. There are been two occasions, both have identical symptoms. The related radio and SYNC issue is starred** this happened on the second occasion. #1) I first note that the steering wheel is a bit stiff on starts for about 10 seconds - this condition lasts about 20-30 car starts and does not consistently occur at every start #2) then the PS becomes sluggish on starts and continues through driving for about 10-30 seconds (5 meters) then PS kicks in and the car is fine - this condition lasts about 10 car starts and occurs consistently at every start** **#3) then PS never kicks in after driving - the PS warning light appears. I drive home and park the car (whew!) and call the ford dealership for service. #4) Cannot start the car. All power is lost. A jump is needed to start the car. After jumping, the car drives fine.**

On another note - there are no noises, leaks or tactile feedback from the steering - smooth as silk.

Sure and thanks to everyone!!! Good to know about the power steering issue CR08 - thx! The power steering has to be related to the TCU module if only because the radio won't turn off or the sync dies or bluetooth dies...strangely coincidental. First it's the communications, then the auto assist for the steering starts getting sluggish just when the car starts - after about 30 seconds it kicks in. After about two weeks of daily driving, the auto assist steering delays more and more, then the car dies altogether. Even AAA tells me there's 0 zero charge on the battery. Both my batteries (12v) are brand new so it's not a battery issue. The dealer who has the car confirmed that the fuses are ok and the batteries are okay. Thinking that the TCU module is messy up power management. Another question... is the car driveable without the TCU module?

Hi everyone, Bad day today - Ford dealership told me they could not repair my 2013 C-max hybrid TCU module and power steering issues. Ford tells me that the TCU module has been draining the power system which has now compromised the power steering and that a replacement TCU module is not sold through Ford anymore and would be difficult to find. Problems started last year and then went away after a dealership returned the car (couldn't find the part?). Car ran great for a year and then the same issues started up again. Now a new dealership is telling me the same thing! That's after a $250 diagnostic and repair quote for $4,200 to fix! Am I alone here? Can the car be repaired? Any thoughts to cheer me up a bit?